Oceans Initiative provides women working in marine mammal science the tools and resources they need to succeed as they conduct cutting-edge conservation research. We believe that women in STEM should be encouraged to grow in their careers and aspire to leadership positions in their chosen field. We are proud to be an employer of choice for early-career women in STEM. With your support, we will continue to employ, train, and promote a growing team of women who are early-career scientists.
We Believe in Supporting Women in STEM
In 2017, our co-founder and Executive Director, Dr. Erin Ashe, started Women in Marine Mammal Science, which is now a global community of marine mammal scientists whose aim is to ensure that women can realize their full career potential in this field. In her role as ED of Oceans Initiative, Dr. Ashe works to develop and share strategies for breaking down the barriers to success that women face in STEM careers. At Oceans Initiative, supporting women in science and technology is a core value that we practice each day.
- We prioritize hiring early-career female scientists for paid positions to provide mentorship and to advance their skills.
- We work to help women develop and become trained to use new technology.
- We coach women in communicating their findings in peer-reviewed publications, speaking engagements, and meetings with policymakers.
- We aim to elevate women by supporting our employees and fostering a sense of community and teamwork.
- We offer workshops and facilitate mentorships between women at different career stages.
“I am grateful for all the women who helped me launch and maintain my career in science and my colleagues who continue to inspire me daily.”
Dr. Erin Ashe
From the Blog
A Chance Encounter with Dolphins to Discovering my Purpose in Marine Science
As an early-career scientist, following my passion and the emotions that fuel it has been the most important thing. When the going gets tough, you must turn inward and allow yourself to feel and reflect on those emotions and to draw on whatever is burning deep inside that drives you.
An account from a field biologist turned statistician
Days in the field are days collecting the data, but what happens after you have the data? What impact can the project have without the analysis? My part in analyzing data had been limited by my lack of quantitative education. It turns out that I wanted that education. The encouragement, support and advice from Oceans Initiative’s leadership team, led me to the graduate program in Statistical Ecology Master of Science at the University of St. Andrews.
Supporting women in marine mammal science
While on the surface, our field may look like more fun than science, marine mammal science is a STEM discipline that requires years of experience and education to land and develop a career. Like other STEM fields, women continue to be underrepresented in senior career positions in the field of marine mammal science and conservation.
Selected Publications
Catherine F. Lo, Kimberly A. Nielsen, Erin Ashe, David E. Bain, Andrea Mendez-Bye, Stephanie A. Reiss, Laura T. Bogaard, Marena Salerno Collins, Rob Williams, 2022. Measuring speed of vessels operating around endangered southern resident killer whales (Orcinus orca) in Salish Sea critical habitat. Marine Pollution Bulletin
